AlTonya Washington - Rival's Desire

“Do it,” they simultaneously requested, nodding when Sherman gave them a shocked look. Carlotta waved her hand to urge him to handle it.

Vivian and Caesar were still arguing full-steam. Insults flew back and forth—each one more harsh than the last. When Sherman approached them, he covered his ears and joined in.

“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you two to leave!”

Caesar and Viv ended their squabbling amid Sherman’s shouting. When they heard the word “leave,” they watched him for a moment. Then they turned to their grandmothers.

“You heard him,” Francine replied, her arched brows rising toward her grandson and Viv.

“You’re just gonna let him throw us out?” Viv asked, disbelief clear on her face.

“That’s right,” Carlotta sang, turning her attention to the delicious-looking salad that had arrived before the fight.

Vivian and Caesar watched in utter amazement as their grandmothers enjoyed their food. The manager, who stood behind them, cleared his throat softly. With the grace of a queen, Viv retrieved her purse from the table and headed for the nearest exit. Caesar followed.

“I can’t believe you got us thrown out of here,” Viv muttered as they walked through the maze of whispering diners.

Caesar was silent as he strolled through the dining room, as though he were completely untouched by the scene. When the double wooden doors swung shut behind them, he caught Viv’s upper arm and made her face him.

“This is exactly why you shouldn’t even consider doing this.”

Viv propped her hands on her hips as her onyx stare narrowed. “Why shouldn’t I consider doing this?”

Caesar stood back and pushed his hands into the deep pockets of his sagging khakis. “You’re too high-strung.”

“Too high-strung!” Vivian cried, her lashes fluttering as she struggled to calm herself. “How can I be too high-strung when you play football for a living? It’s just like I said, you don’t have the brain power to run a business!”

Caesar knew most people thought jocks were dumb, but hearing it from Viv never failed to get a rise out of him. He hated to lose his temper, but feared it could not be helped. Luckily, the grandmothers arrived in the parking lot before anything more could be said.

Dark scowls clouded Francine and Carlotta’s faces as they glared at their grandchildren. Francine propped her hands on her hips and stepped between Caesar and Viv.

“I suggest you two get your acts together by tonight,” Francine scolded.

Vivian bit the bullet and dared to ask a question. “What happens tonight?”

“We want the two of you back at Francine’s house by eight. We’ll finish our conversation then,” Carlotta explained, the tone of her voice brooking no argument.

Caesar nodded, shooting Viv a cool glance.

“We’ll be there,” Viv replied.

“On your best behavior,” Carlotta advised before heading to the taxi that had just arrived in the parking lot.

Vivian crossed her arms over her chest and watched Francine and Carlotta ride off in the cab. “Maybe you should use the time before dinner to think about who is better qualified to run this business. It’s obvious we can’t do it together.”

Again, Caesar took Viv’s arm and forced her to face him. “I already know who the best person is for the job, Plum.”

The deep, rough tone of Caesar’s voice turned Vivian’s legs weak. She managed to ignore it and look away from his roguish smile.

“I’ll see you tonight,” he told her. Then he smacked her bottom and walked away.

Viv let out a loud cry and rubbed her stinging derriere.

Caesar looked back at her and slapped his hand against his forehead. “Sorry, Plum, that’s somethin’ us dumb jocks do,” he said as he headed to his ride.

Shooting him a scathing glare, Viv was about to walk away when she remembered. “Caesar, wait!” When he sent her an expectant look, she ground her teeth. “Could I have a ride back to the house?”

Caesar laughed the instant he heard the request. The roaring sound grated on Vivian’s nerves and she stomped her foot out of frustration.

“Dammit, Caesar, I need to get my car!”

“So?”

Viv gasped and propped one hand on her hip. “How can you be so cold?”

Caesar shook his head and took a few steps closer to her. Crossing his arms over the dark, blue denim shirt hanging outside his pants, he peered down into her face. “After the things you’ve said to me? Now you expect me to give you a ride? Please!”

Vivian took a step closer to Caesar until her face was inches from his. “If you don’t give me a ride, I’ll tell your grandmother.”

Caesar stepped back when he heard the soft threat. A low growl rumbled through his chest as he turned away. “Come on.”

Vivian pressed her lips together in an effort to hide her smile. Once they were inside the dark, cushioned interior of the Expedition, music from a vintage De La Soul CD flooded past the speakers. With the volume on medium, Caesar and Viv nodded their heads to the beat.

“So, how’s the group doing?” Caesar asked after they’d been riding for a while.

Viv smiled. “Everybody’s fine. Between rehearsals, interviews and photo sessions, we hardly have any free days.”

“Well, it’s good to be in demand,” Caesar noted.

“Oh, we’re not complaining.” She remembered when Intrigue was just a dream. Vivian and four friends from college used to sing at parties and other functions. At the beginning of their senior year, they’d sent a demo to the campus radio station and had great success. Instantly the girls became small celebrities and sparked the interest of a producer who had heard them when he’d visited the university. The rest, as they say, was history.

“You know, I bought the last CD.”

Shock registered in Viv’s dark eyes as she turned on the seat to face him. “You did?” she asked.

Caesar grinned and glanced her way. “Yeah, you surprised?”

“Very,” Viv sighed, allowing herself to enjoy his gorgeous profile. “So, what’d you think?” she asked when he caught her staring.

“I play it all the time,” he informed her with a shrug of one of his massive shoulders. “Just like the last two y’all put out.”

Vivian settled back against the seat and smiled. It was always nice to hear good things about Intrigue’s work. Still, it was Caesar’s approval Viv was most pleased to hear. She was surprised to know that after all these years she still wanted to impress him.

“You know, I especially like to hear your leads when I’m feeling down. That low, dead voice of yours is perfect when you’re feelin’ like crap.”

Viv’s hands clenched into fists and she squeezed her eyes shut tight. She knew Caesar said the things he did to get a rise out of her. Of course, it always worked. “You thoughtless jackass.”

“Excuse me?” Caesar replied, a tiny grin tugging at his mouth.

“You heard me! Where do you get off insulting my voice?”

“Insulting you? I just gave you a compliment!”

“A compliment? Calling my voice dead is a compliment?”

Caesar rolled his eyes. “It’s a figure of speech, Plum!”

“In what language?”

The remainder of the trip continued with the two of them arguing. Vivian couldn’t believe Caesar’s thoughtless remark. He acted as though he had just flattered her! Viv practically jumped out of the SUV when Caesar pulled up in front of his grandmother’s home.

“I should’ve never asked you for a ride!” she screamed, sprinting for her car.

“Plum?”

“What?” She flung her car door open and turned to look at Caesar. He was leaning against the Expedition, his arms crossed over his chest.